India vs Australia 2nd ODI: Kohli's Struggles Continue
The cricketing world is buzzing with excitement as India faces Australia in the 2nd ODI at the Adelaide Oval. This clash is crucial for both teams, especially after Australia's recent victory in the first match. Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first, putting India on the back foot right from the start.
India kept the same playing XI, while Australia made some strategic changes. Notably, Alex Carey and Xavier Bartlett joined the squad, replacing Josh Philippe and Nathan Ellis. This decision reflects Australia's intent to strengthen their bowling attack and capitalize on the early conditions.
Historically, Australia holds the upper hand in ODIs against India, with an 85-58 record in 153 games. In Australia, India has won only 14 matches while losing 39, leading to a tense atmosphere for the visiting team. Fans are particularly keen to see how Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill respond after a shaky start.
The match started with a glimmer of hope for India, as Rohit Sharma surpassed Sourav Ganguly for the most ODI runs for India. However, the joy was short-lived. Kohli, a player celebrated for his remarkable batting skills, fell for a duck, leaving the team reeling at 17/2. This early collapse placed immense pressure on Rohit and Shubman to stabilize the innings.
The pitch report indicated that the conditions would be challenging for batsmen, especially with a new ball. Shane Watson and Parthiv Patel emphasized that Adelaide Oval typically offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, which adds to the excitement of the match.
As the game unfolds, fans are hopeful for a turnaround, especially with Kohli possibly playing his last ODI in Adelaide, a venue where he has previously excelled. The atmosphere in the stands is expected to be electric, with supporters donning blue jerseys, cheering their team on.
Furthermore, the live coverage of this highly anticipated match is available on Star Sports and streaming via the JioStar app. As the match progresses, all eyes will be on whether India can recover from this early setback and turn the tide against a formidable Australian side.
